I really am doing great! Yesterday was a little surprising...b/c I actually was feeling some pain...(4 on a scale to 10 - not bad!) but, I'd say my pain has been very well controlled keeping it 1 or so up to then....just primarily soreness. I have a nice little set up...I have been "living" in a recliner a friend lent us (she had this surgery 2 yrs ago...and said it was awesome - and it is...) and I get up to move around as the doctor instructs...but I place my rear-end here most of the time...and sleep here too. Russ brings me his laptop, which I place on a pillow on my tummy as I recline...and browse the net - or write emails.
Isabella, my daughter, is with my Mother...and boy, do I miss her!! I don't miss all the activity that is required with a little one who will be 3 in a matter of months...but her sweet little voice on the phone doesn't help...just makes me miss her more! It is a week today since I really spent any time with her... ::::sigh::::
I meet with the hospital's nutritionist and post- bariatric surgery liaison tomorrow...and get my staples out at my Dr's apt. on Thursday. Hopefully I will then find out when I can lift "things" (my only want to lift is my sweet little 27# lumb of lovin into my lap...and squeeze her tight!)...and when I will start to feel less tired etc.
Russ and I did venture out to a movie last night....it was fun....but very tiring, even though I was taxi'd to the front door by Russ and we took every step very slow. We went to one with the VERY comfortable seats, and on the row where there is a railing in front, so I could put up my feet. I took a small pillow with me - it feels really good to press a pillow on my belly...esp. where my central left incision is. That is where I feel the pressure and soreness when I move around. We saw "Inside Man" with Denzel...and that cute Aussi....can't remember his name right now....and bit part w/ Jodi Foster. Loved it!
We also walked right in with a smoothie....this was a fun experience....we stopped at Smoothie King before we went to the theatre....and bought one 20 oz smoothie....asked the guy to pour off 6oz. in a kids cup for me...and Russ took the rest. I have a feeling we will spend the rest of our lives sharing whatever we buy "out!" It's going to be great for me....and Russ too, since all of our portions in the US are so huge anyway.
So....that is what is "UP" with me....my pain is reduced to just soreness when I'm on my meds....and I am able to spread out the dosage time now to double time. Eating is interesting...I am NEVER hungry...and am on a strick schedule of 8-10-12-2-5-8 by my doc for the next 2-3 weeks....all is liquid right now....and I have to get at least 50gms of protein a day to help speed along my recovery he say...I suspect it's also to keep me from getting malnurished. I know they have me drinking so often so I won't get dehydrated. I can only consume about 4-6 oz. ever half hour is this about right??This morning my hubbie, Russ, made me a 6 oz protein shake...and it took nearly an hour for me to finish it. I'm using ISOPURE protein mix...I like it b/c it's loaded with 25gms in one scoop! It makes me laugh, because a week ago, when I was still on liquids preparing for my surgery...I'd make a 12oz. protein shake and slurp it down in 5min. or less.....wow, what a difference!!Well...I'm going to take some time to sleep....I'm glad to be posting again...and FINALLY on the POST-op side of surgery
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Friday, April 21, 2006
Journal: recorded 2 days Post Op....
Wednesday, April 19th/ 2006 – Surgery Day!!
We woke up chipper around 5:45am….got dressed and loaded the car and took off to take Isabella to my friend Kathryn’s house. She didn’t live far from the hospital, so it was great to have her go there. Then… Mom, Russ, and I went to Vista Surgery Center of Dallas. We arrived about 20 minutes to 8am so we were early…and we just went to fill out all the necessary paperwork .
We didn’t wait long before they took me to the room I’d come to after I got out of recovery…we took all my things there, & I changed into a hospital gown. My friends Karen and Martha Anne came to be at the hospital and just sit, pray and be with Russ and Mom. Shortly after the five of us settle and started talking in the hospital room the entourage of technicians came to start poking and prodding…I had blood drawn, and EKG…and pregnancy test…and then I was taken down to the place where they get you situated b/f surgery. I had my EGD done at Vista hospital…so I was 
familiar with the nurses…and the area – there they inserted my IV tubes and started me on saline and an antibiotic….Russ was able to come in there with me.
My doctor, Dr. Barker had one surgery before mine…which took some extra time…so my surgery which was originally scheduled for 9:30am….was pushed back. I think my doctor came in around 11am and then Russ had to go to the waiting room to join Mom, Karen and Martha Anne. Dr. Wu, was my anesthesiologist…as soon as he got there…he had 2 syringes…and he said one was my ‘margarita’…and the other was to prevent me from having a hangover or getting sick. Because I was having the gastric bypass…they do all they can to keep you from getting sick or having nausea…vomiting in the first days isn’t the greatest idea when they’ve just operated in that vicinity.
Shortly after that…nothing….I don’t even remember leaving that little cubby. The next thing I remember is a nurse lightly slapping my face…and saying, “Deborah, wake up…your surgery is over….can you wake up for me?”
My whole recovery room memory is in pieces…and as I think about it…it’s strangely disturbing, and definitely the worst I’ve felt since the surgery. I recall, Cold… cold…. Muffled talking…..cold. A nurse with short hair is standing to my right…talking to someone across the room while she is writing. My eyes…. open…. closed…. open…. ”Deborah, are you waking up?” All I can muster is, “ugggh.” When I open my eyes I see the top of Dr. Barkers head sitting at a desk working across the room from where I am…:::blink:::….he’s not there. I felt like all I did was blink, but I was probably not completely coherent or conscience. It is soooo cold in this place…and I feel like a BLOB…I feel like my stomach has a soccer ball in it…or just a big ball of pressure. I’m not hurting – I just feel like crap. As I am coming around and can keep my eyes open longer and longer I am more aware of the nurses around me…one of them is Rochelle…the nurse that came and got me from my room and took me down to pre-op, and the other is a nurse I recognize from when I had my EGD. My mouth is sooo dry…my lips feel chapped, or the whole area is like sandpaper especially way back in my mouth close to my throat. There is some mention of a cathater…and then there is pressure…then release….then the nurses broke out in laughter. Rochelle tells the short haired nurse says, “oops! Happens to everyone once in a while…” and then I hear that she spilled my pee. I mumbled something to her about not blaming that on me…and they started laughing and said they thought I was alert enough to go to my room if I was cracking jokes. I tried to focus on the clock and all I could see was it was sometime in the one o’clock hour.
Once I was moved from the recovery room we wheeled past the waiting room where I saw Karen…but not Russ & Mom. Karen said they went to eat some lunch…but that she’d find them and meet me in my room. Around this time…I became very aware of the pain in my abdomen… and was told it would be a bit of time until they could get me some pain medication. The seams in the doorway floors and the grates going in and out of the elevator caused me to catch my breath. At this point I started focusing and visualizing the pain…it’s shape…and color. I became very subdued and focused on being patient for the pain. The ‘Disappearing Technique’ got me thru however many minutes I waited for the pain pump. Honestly…I adjusted…I decided to be honest and open with myself about what degree of pain I was in…no more, no less. This got me thru and gave me the courage to jump out of bed when my nurse came in to ask me if I wanted to try the “Barium Swallow” now, or in the morning. I flung the sheets back and pulled my self up to get into her wheelchair as quickly as possible, as if I didn’t grab the offer it might retract at any moment.
I was motivated by the sandpaper mouth and throat I was experiencing. All I wanted was a simple sip of water…I’d do anything for it at that moment…and being brave and going immediately for testing was the way I was going to solve the dryness.
The barium was not a problem…in fact I welcomed the thick potent taste – all I could think was it could alleviate some of the dryness and pain. Thankfully I followed the instruction to a “T” and Dr. Barker was there to praise me for jumping into this so quickly and to congratulate me on my soon-to-sip
liquids!
As soon as I returned to the room, I received my first sips of water…we commemorated that moment with my sweet friend Karen giving it to me before she left for the day. AHHH, that was heaven!! I don’t think a sip of water ever in my life tasted soooo wonderful, wet and wanted. At that moment everything shifted for me…my pain shifted…my consciousnesses shifted…I was committed to my possibility of
“Authenticity and Openness.”
We woke up chipper around 5:45am….got dressed and loaded the car and took off to take Isabella to my friend Kathryn’s house. She didn’t live far from the hospital, so it was great to have her go there. Then… Mom, Russ, and I went to Vista Surgery Center of Dallas. We arrived about 20 minutes to 8am so we were early…and we just went to fill out all the necessary paperwork .
We didn’t wait long before they took me to the room I’d come to after I got out of recovery…we took all my things there, & I changed into a hospital gown. My friends Karen and Martha Anne came to be at the hospital and just sit, pray and be with Russ and Mom. Shortly after the five of us settle and started talking in the hospital room the entourage of technicians came to start poking and prodding…I had blood drawn, and EKG…and pregnancy test…and then I was taken down to the place where they get you situated b/f surgery. I had my EGD done at Vista hospital…so I was 
familiar with the nurses…and the area – there they inserted my IV tubes and started me on saline and an antibiotic….Russ was able to come in there with me.My doctor, Dr. Barker had one surgery before mine…which took some extra time…so my surgery which was originally scheduled for 9:30am….was pushed back. I think my doctor came in around 11am and then Russ had to go to the waiting room to join Mom, Karen and Martha Anne. Dr. Wu, was my anesthesiologist…as soon as he got there…he had 2 syringes…and he said one was my ‘margarita’…and the other was to prevent me from having a hangover or getting sick. Because I was having the gastric bypass…they do all they can to keep you from getting sick or having nausea…vomiting in the first days isn’t the greatest idea when they’ve just operated in that vicinity.
Shortly after that…nothing….I don’t even remember leaving that little cubby. The next thing I remember is a nurse lightly slapping my face…and saying, “Deborah, wake up…your surgery is over….can you wake up for me?”
My whole recovery room memory is in pieces…and as I think about it…it’s strangely disturbing, and definitely the worst I’ve felt since the surgery. I recall, Cold… cold…. Muffled talking…..cold. A nurse with short hair is standing to my right…talking to someone across the room while she is writing. My eyes…. open…. closed…. open…. ”Deborah, are you waking up?” All I can muster is, “ugggh.” When I open my eyes I see the top of Dr. Barkers head sitting at a desk working across the room from where I am…:::blink:::….he’s not there. I felt like all I did was blink, but I was probably not completely coherent or conscience. It is soooo cold in this place…and I feel like a BLOB…I feel like my stomach has a soccer ball in it…or just a big ball of pressure. I’m not hurting – I just feel like crap. As I am coming around and can keep my eyes open longer and longer I am more aware of the nurses around me…one of them is Rochelle…the nurse that came and got me from my room and took me down to pre-op, and the other is a nurse I recognize from when I had my EGD. My mouth is sooo dry…my lips feel chapped, or the whole area is like sandpaper especially way back in my mouth close to my throat. There is some mention of a cathater…and then there is pressure…then release….then the nurses broke out in laughter. Rochelle tells the short haired nurse says, “oops! Happens to everyone once in a while…” and then I hear that she spilled my pee. I mumbled something to her about not blaming that on me…and they started laughing and said they thought I was alert enough to go to my room if I was cracking jokes. I tried to focus on the clock and all I could see was it was sometime in the one o’clock hour.
Once I was moved from the recovery room we wheeled past the waiting room where I saw Karen…but not Russ & Mom. Karen said they went to eat some lunch…but that she’d find them and meet me in my room. Around this time…I became very aware of the pain in my abdomen… and was told it would be a bit of time until they could get me some pain medication. The seams in the doorway floors and the grates going in and out of the elevator caused me to catch my breath. At this point I started focusing and visualizing the pain…it’s shape…and color. I became very subdued and focused on being patient for the pain. The ‘Disappearing Technique’ got me thru however many minutes I waited for the pain pump. Honestly…I adjusted…I decided to be honest and open with myself about what degree of pain I was in…no more, no less. This got me thru and gave me the courage to jump out of bed when my nurse came in to ask me if I wanted to try the “Barium Swallow” now, or in the morning. I flung the sheets back and pulled my self up to get into her wheelchair as quickly as possible, as if I didn’t grab the offer it might retract at any moment.I was motivated by the sandpaper mouth and throat I was experiencing. All I wanted was a simple sip of water…I’d do anything for it at that moment…and being brave and going immediately for testing was the way I was going to solve the dryness.
The barium was not a problem…in fact I welcomed the thick potent taste – all I could think was it could alleviate some of the dryness and pain. Thankfully I followed the instruction to a “T” and Dr. Barker was there to praise me for jumping into this so quickly and to congratulate me on my soon-to-sip
liquids!As soon as I returned to the room, I received my first sips of water…we commemorated that moment with my sweet friend Karen giving it to me before she left for the day. AHHH, that was heaven!! I don’t think a sip of water ever in my life tasted soooo wonderful, wet and wanted. At that moment everything shifted for me…my pain shifted…my consciousnesses shifted…I was committed to my possibility of
“Authenticity and Openness.”
TO BE CONTINUED....
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
SURGERY on Schedule...
This is my last update before my gastric bypass surgery...
This week has been a little tough...but, only one more day of the liquid diet before my surgery Thanks for all your prayers...I'm sure you know what a awesome husband I have...he has joined me in this liquid journey.... & "We've" been doing the liquid diet together...
On the health scene...I am feeling great and do not have any cold or congestion from my virus 2 weeks ago...yea!!
I have to check into Vista Hospital of Dallas - Wednesday at 8am
I am fine...not nervous or anything...I'm actually excited. I am a little nervous about the pain I will feel later - for those of you who don't know ...I am a HUGE baby about pain...I had a hard time dealing with an ingrown toenail!
Please pray for....
The doctor's hands...and safe proceedures...as well as no complications. (Dr. Wade Barker)
That my anesthegiologist will be wise & knowledgeble...and take care of me while I am under.
My friend Kathryn as she babysit's Isabella Wednesday...and that Isabella will be obedient and play nicely with Kyle.
That my mother will have safe travel to and from Dallas...and as Isabella is with her in SanAntonio while I recover -
And that Isabella will be obedient...kind to the animals...and not scared at my Mom's house. (She gets a little nervous there...at night time.)
That my pain will be minimal after the surgery...and that pain meds will be sufficient and effective.
That I will walk and do all that is necessary to help me recover quickly.
That I will be a good patient...
That my sister will have safe travel to and from Dallas this weekend when she comes.
That I will adjust to the hard work that is ahead of me as I adjust to my new changes.
That I will eat and follow all my instructions, so I will not have trouble with malnutrition & dehydration.
That I will drink all my liquids & proteins.
And follow thru with my exercise program.
Aside from the surgery...
Please Pray for....
Until I'm feeling better....
thanks for your prayers & love, Deborah
This week has been a little tough...but, only one more day of the liquid diet before my surgery Thanks for all your prayers...I'm sure you know what a awesome husband I have...he has joined me in this liquid journey.... & "We've" been doing the liquid diet together...
On the health scene...I am feeling great and do not have any cold or congestion from my virus 2 weeks ago...yea!!
I have to check into Vista Hospital of Dallas - Wednesday at 8am
I am fine...not nervous or anything...I'm actually excited. I am a little nervous about the pain I will feel later - for those of you who don't know ...I am a HUGE baby about pain...I had a hard time dealing with an ingrown toenail!
Please pray for....
Please Pray for....
- The preparation and sale of our home
- Our new NYC apartment...and accommodations for our cats with us
- A place to keep our kitties for 3 weeks in June...while we are traveling - looking for our apartment, going to my cousin Tiff's wedding and visiting the Hornsteins
- Pack up of the rest of our things going to NYC
- Sale of the excess items either on eBay or Estate Sale
- All misc. details will fall into place...and that we will not stress with one another!
Until I'm feeling better....
thanks for your prayers & love, Deborah
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
The Last Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.....
WOW!!! What a day....I woke up late to my friend Alicia calling to cancel our lunch plans! (Her little boy was sick....) BUMMER!! Anyway...I was determined that was NOT going to hold me back - My lunch date would be my "Baby Love"... and we were
going to my favorite Thai food restaurant called Mango's to get my fav: "Citrus Beef" - YUM!!~ And fried Mango Ice Cream with raspber
ry sauce. I knew that 'Bella would eat the rice and veggies and hopefully some beef....but the ice cream would be an exciting treat for her...and I was going to make the best of it! She and I had a fun time...and then did some errands before going to pick up our babysitter, Amy. We had big plans with our best friends - Beka, Ken & Viv!
going to my favorite Thai food restaurant called Mango's to get my fav: "Citrus Beef" - YUM!!~ And fried Mango Ice Cream with raspber
ry sauce. I knew that 'Bella would eat the rice and veggies and hopefully some beef....but the ice cream would be an exciting treat for her...and I was going to make the best of it! She and I had a fun time...and then did some errands before going to pick up our babysitter, Amy. We had big plans with our best friends - Beka, Ken & Viv!
That was 
sooo fun and exciting b/c we went to the Cheesecake Factory! Oh my...I love that food, I thought I' d have my last 'comfort food' for a while...and of course - CHEESECAKE!!! I had to put this picture in of Russ and I ....wow, I think this is the first time I was glad to see how fat I look! Great star
ting place...
sooo fun and exciting b/c we went to the Cheesecake Factory! Oh my...I love that food, I thought I' d have my last 'comfort food' for a while...and of course - CHEESECAKE!!! I had to put this picture in of Russ and I ....wow, I think this is the first time I was glad to see how fat I look! Great star
ting place...
I ordered the Factory Meatloaf... and oooooh, was it GOOOOD!! What do you think? OH, btw...I didn't eat the whole thing...just about 1 and 1/2 of the meatloaf...3/4 of the mashed potatoes...and a bite or two of the corn. (Russ ate the rest for lunch the next day!) I didn't photograph the cheesecake....I had a light Tuxedo Cheesecake. Ooooooh, it was soooo smooth and yummy - I'm glad THAT was the last hu
ge meal...So Fun!
ge meal...So Fun!
To the left is my Beka-Boo friend...my best girl! Wow, we have been thru sooo much together. I'm loving her... She is sooo sooo supportive of my surgery! I'm excited that it is only one week away...it is amazing 
that it is nearly here. To the right is my sweetest latin cookie.... she is such a love...I feel like we are sisters!! What a fun night and celebration this was... the last big meal... as I'm sure many feel... I think I over did it a bit, but WOW, was it DELISH!!
that it is nearly here. To the right is my sweetest latin cookie.... she is such a love...I feel like we are sisters!! What a fun night and celebration this was... the last big meal... as I'm sure many feel... I think I over did it a bit, but WOW, was it DELISH!!
NOW....onto the liquid diet....I'm hoping I'll make it...and it won't be too difficult!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
SURGERY DATE!
Wow...it's really hard to believe my surgery is scheduled.
APRIL 19th 2006 @ 9:30am.
I still feel like it's not going to happen...I don't know why I'm skepticle...it just doesn't seem real.
I'm sick right now...I don't know if that will effect anything...but, I'm praying that I'll get better by the weekend...start back in on eating right and sleeping right to take care of myself!
I'm holding my breath for now....
APRIL 19th 2006 @ 9:30am.
I still feel like it's not going to happen...I don't know why I'm skepticle...it just doesn't seem real.
I'm sick right now...I don't know if that will effect anything...but, I'm praying that I'll get better by the weekend...start back in on eating right and sleeping right to take care of myself!
I'm holding my breath for now....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)